YENAGOA (SUNDIATA POST)- Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has revealed that his administration has paid over N20 bn as arrears of gratuity to retired workers in the state since 2020.
Diri stated this during the inauguration of the secretariat building of both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at Amarata, Yenagoa, on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the complex, built by the Bayelsa Government, was inaugurated by the Rivers Gov., Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
Diri stated that the edifice symbolized the harmonious relationship between labour and his administration, stressing that more would be achieved when there is industrial harmony.
He said workers welfare had always been a top priority of his administration.
According to him: “When we came on board, the issue of outstanding gratuities and pensions were on the front burner.
“We immediately made it as a matter of policy to ensure that our senior citizens were respected by paying their arrears over the years.
“At this fifth anniversary of our administration, we have paid over N20 billion as gratuity and pension to retired citizens.
“We will continue to ensure that they receive them. Before we leave office, we would have cleared the backlog”.
Diri appreciated labour in the state for always resorting to dialogue instead of industrial action whenever there was disagreement and promised to always work with them to improve their welfare.
The governor explained that his Rivers counterpart was chosen to inaugurate the project due to his commitment to the welfare of workers in his state.
Speaking on the issue of more homogenous states for the Ijaw ethnic nationality, Diri urged the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to work towards the creation of Toru-Ebe and Oil River states.
He noted that the balkanisation of the Ijaws into different states has given them a minority status in those states, stressing that only Bayelsa was created out of the three states demanded by the Ijaws.
The governor also stated that it was an anomaly for Bayelsa to have only eight local government areas, adding that it was an injustice that should be corrected by the federal government.
In his remarks, Gov. Siminalayi Fubara commended the Diri administration’s worker-friendly posture.
Fubara advised labour to continuously work harmoniously with the government, adding that they would be the most affected if there was industrial crisis.
He said his administration would continue to work with his Bayelsa counterpart in the interest and development of both states.
“For 16 years, there was friction between Rivers and Bayelsa states but under my administration, we will work with you bearing in mind that you are a sister state.
In their joint address, presidents of the NLC and TUC, represented by former Bayelsa State NLC Chairman, Comrade Ebipre Ndiomu and Austin Jonah, respectively, said the edifice was a testament of the collaborative efforts between labour and government. (NAN)
